Haas Factory Team enters the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season with momentum and ambition. After completing its first year at the Cup level, the organization makes a major move by switching to Chevrolet and forming a partnership with Hendrick Motorsports. This change ends a long run with Ford that dated back to the Stewart-Haas Racing days and signals that the Gene Haas-owned team is serious about taking the next step forward. With stronger technical support and elite engine power, Haas Factory Team is positioning itself for growth across its Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series programs.

The alliance with Hendrick Motorsports is a big deal for a young Cup organization. Hendrick engines are among the best in the garage, and access to that level of equipment should help the No. 41 team improve its speed and consistency. While the transition to a new manufacturer will come with a learning curve, the upside is clear. Better resources should lead to more competitive runs, especially as the season goes on and the team settles into its new setup.

Cole Custer returns for his second season with Haas Factory Team after a challenging but encouraging 2025 campaign. His final points position did not reflect the flashes of potential he showed, particularly late in the year. Near-wins at Daytona and Talladega proved that Custer can still be a threat on superspeedways, and those runs helped rebuild confidence after his return to the Cup Series. His experience, including a Cup win as a rookie in 2020, gives the team a steady presence behind the wheel.

Looking ahead to 2026, expectations for Haas Factory Team should be measured but optimistic. Early in the season, Custer should be one to watch at drafting tracks, where he has consistently shown strength. As the year progresses, improved chemistry with Chevrolet and Hendrick Motorsports could turn solid runs into top-10 finishes and playoff conversations. Haas Factory Team may still be building, but with the right partnerships in place, 2026 could mark the beginning of a true bounce-back season.